In New York, acts of kindness flourish after Chelsea attack

By Mirtha Donastorg, CNN

Updated 7:33 PM ET, Mon September 19, 2016

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Photos:Explosion in Manhattan

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, right, and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, second right, look over the mangled remains of a dumpster Sunday, September 18, in New York's Chelsea neighborhood. An explosion injured 29 people there the night before.

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Photos:Explosion in Manhattan

Authorities believe the blast was caused by an explosive device in or near this dumpster. All 29 victims have been released from hospitals, according to the governor.

The New York Police Department's Counterterrorism Bureau tweeted this image of the crumpled dumpster following the explosion in Chelsea.

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Photos:Explosion in Manhattan

Just blocks away from the explosion, a suspicious device was found. Officials said the device appeared to be a pressure cooker with dark-colored wiring protruding, connected by silver duct tape to what appeared to be a cell phone.

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De Blasio, in the blue tie, speaks at a news conference near the scene on Saturday. He was joined by New York Police Commissioner James O'Neill.

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Police block off a road near the site of the explosion.

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Firefighters and emergency workers gather at the scene.

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Police officers and firefighters respond to the scene.

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A New York police officer and his dog check a garbage can close to the scene of the explosion.

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Two heavily armed police officers survey the scene.

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New York police at the scene of the explosion.

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A bomb squad vehicle arrives at the scene.

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Police arrive at the scene of the explosion.

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A street is blocked off nearby.

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Police and firefighters gather near the scene.

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A crowd gathers near the site of the explosion.

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A line of emergency vehicles near the scene of the explosion.

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Onlookers gather on the street.

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(CNN)As it happens over and over again whenever we are confronted with tragedy or terror, small acts of kindness by everyday people offer up a sort of karmic balance in our world.

They handed out coffee to cops

New Yorkers came out in large numbers to praise and thank first responders for their work. One of those stopping by was a local Starbucks employee who identified himself as Jermaine.

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"I want to give y'all some coffee and some pastries," he said, passing bag after bag over barricades on Sunday afternoon.

"Thanks a lot, man," a man in a fire department shirt replied.

The gesture was captured in a 33-second clip posted by KnightNews.com.

"I wish I could give a little more," Jermaine told the officers, but by the look on their faces, he'd done plenty.

.. And pizza for lunch

NYPD officers maintained a presence throughout Chelsea on Monday, including the subway station on 23rd Street and Sixth Avenue, near the site of the bombing. To show their gratitude, people brought them boxes of pizza. The moment was captured by passerby Zach Escalante, who shared it on Instagram.

They offered free rooms and dinner

The popular West Village hotel, the Standard High Line, opened its rooms to residents living within the attack area. In a Facebook post, the hotel said residents with proof of address could also eat free.